Penn State Energy and Environment News

Firefly population expected to dip, PSU professor says

| wtaj.com

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Penn State Professor Christina Grozinger says to expect a dip in firefly populations this year but adds that the average person can help. This article and broadcast TV segment features Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology.

'Growing Impact' podcast explores a thawing Arctic and its impacts

| psu.edu

The latest episode of the Growing Impact podcast discusses how thawing Arctic permafrost, a result of rising global temperatures due to climate change, is affecting rivers, landscapes and communities, according to a Penn State research team.

Applications now open for Community-Engaged Research Fellowship program

| psu.edu

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Community-Engaged Research Core is accepting applications for the 2025-26 Community-Engaged Research Fellowship Program now through Oct. 1. The program offers training and a mentorship network to scientists interested in advancing their community-engaged research expertise across Penn State campuses.

Two Penn State faculty elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

| psu.edu

Penn State professors P. Gabrielle Foreman and Karl S. Zimmerer have been elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Cold sintering may rescue plastic, ceramics, battery components from landfills

| psu.edu

In three recent papers, Penn State researchers outline new uses for cold sintering— the process of combining powder-based materials into dense forms at low temperatures through applied pressure using solvents — that allows materials to be recycled again and again.

Growing Impact: Investigating thawing permafrost

| Featuring Roberto Fernández, Anastasia Piliouras, Talley Fisher

Once a frozen haven, climate-driven rising temperatures are rapidly thawing the Arctic permafrost, posing a major threat to communities and infrastructure. Researchers are investigating how these changes will transform rivers, with potential consequences for erosion, sediment transport, and the entire Arctic landscape. Additionally, their project incorporates art to communicate these critical findings in an engaging way.

Bird-safe Penn State: how to help reduce window collisions on campus

| statecollege.com

Years of effort from student, faculty, staff and community volunteers at Penn State has found that University Park has a particularly bad offender for deadly bird window collisions. This op-ed was co-written by Joseph Gyekis, associate teaching professor of biobehavioral health and David Toews, assistant professor of biology.

Integrated Pest Management Program staffer to help schools implement IPM plans

| psu.edu

The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program has announced the appointment of Donald DeMackiewicz Jr. as the new PA IPM schools program assistant. DeMackiewicz will offer consulting services to any Pennsylvania schools seeking expertise and advice while developing and implementing their state-mandated IPM plans.

Ingalls to use NSF award to explore Earth’s ‘boring billion’ evolution

| psu.edu

Miquela Ingalls, assistant professor and Wilson Faculty Fellow in the Department of Geosciences, will use a a five-year $975,000 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) grant to help understand a long lull in the evolution of early life on Earth. This span of time during the Proterozoic Eon is known as the “boring billion” because the explosion of photosynthetic life was abruptly followed by a long pause in biological innovation.

Fentanyl and COVID-19 pandemic reshaped racial profile of overdose deaths in US

| psu.edu

A new study from researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development examined racial and regional differences in overdose fatalities from 2012 to 2021, capturing the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most of the nation, the researchers found that younger Black individuals died of overdose at lower rates than their white counterparts, but older Black individuals — especially men in Midwestern cities — were up to five times more likely to die of drug overdose than their white counterparts.

Award-winning photographer, conservationist to headline climate symposium

| psu.edu

Paul Nicklen, the award-winning nature photographer and conservationist, will be the keynote speaker for Penn State’s Climate Solutions Symposium. His presentation is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

Firefly populations face multiple threats across North America

| earth.com

A groundbreaking study has brought new insights into the factors impacting firefly populations across North America. This article features Penn State research.